2024 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Cabernet Franc

Happy Sunday!  It's been a rather relaxing day, though the weather has ranged from heat and humidity to big thunderstorms, but it seems to have calmed just in time for dinner.  And with dinner usually comes a nice bottle of wine, and tonight I have opened a recent wine club selection from DaMa Wines.  The 2024 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Cabernet Franc is sourced entirely from the XL Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity.  The nose presents aromas of ripe blackberry and cherry intermingled with earthy leather and green grass.  The first sip is a surprising rush of tart cherry and blueberry, which juxtaposes intersterstingly before transitioning to some notes of cardamom and baking spice midpalate. The tannins are supple yet provide a good foundation for the long, smooth dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a really interesting take on this often overlooked varietal. This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from hearty pasta to rack of lamb, summer barbecue to smoked brisket.  Tonight, I am taking a traditional Pacific Northwest tack and enjoying this wine with some crispy skin Scottish black pearl salmon, steamed rice and sugar snap peas.  Cheers!

2025 DaMa Wines Grenache Blanc

Happy Sunday!  This is indeed a rare occasion as tonight I am opening a bottle of white wine to enjoy with my dinner.  I recently received this wine in a wine club shipment, and I am excited to try it with a Sunday dinner that really calls for a white wine.  This wine is a 100% Grenache Blanc from the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington, so let's see what this new wine has to offer.

The wine is a crystal clear white in the glass with hints of white grapefruit color.  The nose presents aromas of bright citrus, pineapple and a hint of pear, surely as the winemaker suggests, sunshine in a glass!  The first sip is a rush of tropical fruit intermingled with green apple, course mineral notes and ample vibrant citrus that transitions to some notes of white floral midpalate.  This finish is crisp and dry with plenty of acidity along the way, a perfect sip for a warm and humid evening on the patio as I am experiencing tonight!

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it seems to be altering my perception of white wine, and I could see myself enjoying this throughout the summer!  This wine would pair well with such a broad range of dishes, from spicy Thai or Indian, to seared sea scallops or pan seared halibut.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic Midwest Sunday dinner of bourbon crusted chicken thighs, steamed asparagus and corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2024 DaMa Wines Grenache

Happy Mothers Day!  I hope all of you moms out there enjoyed a fantastic day with kids and grandkids!  I finished my grading today, so my first year as a professor is nearly concluded.  All that's left are all the ceremonies that come with graduation.  To celebrate, tonight I've opened a bottle from one of my favorite Walla Walla producers and also one of the only women-owned wineries in Walla Walla, DaMa Wines!  The 2024 DaMa Grenache is a 100% Grenache sourced from the Painted Hills Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington, so let's see how it's tasting.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a little more full bodied than you might expect from a Grenache.  The wine presents and inviting array of aromas, ripe strawberry, raspberry and cherry with undertones of lilac and hints of earthy minerality.  The first sip is a rush of sweet red fruit, cherry, raspberry and currant that east into some mineral notes and oak midpalate.  The tannins are fairly sharp with a good bit of acidity on the long, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a fresh and pleasant drinking red wine that is perfect for the warmer days of summer (if they ever arrive!).  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from paella to moules frites, grilled lamb chops to pan seared halibut.  Tonight, I am taking the pacific seafood route and enjoying this wine with a crispy skin salmon filet, steamed rice and sugar snap peas.  Cheers!

2022 DaMa Wines GSM

Happy Monday!  Back-to-back posts, though this one is a bit later than usual, only because I had a long day of work.  At any rate, it's time for wine, and tonight I've opened a bottle from the recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2022 GSM.  This wine is a blend of Grenache (52%), Syrah (30%) and Mourvèdre (18%) from the Yakima Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this one is tasting!

The wine is a somewhat lighter body, with bright ruby color, just as you'd expect from a good GSM blend.  The nose presents aromas of lilac, strawberry and a bit of rustic earth.  Take a sip and you're greeted by a rush of vibrant red fruit, cherry, plum, strawberry and currant that completely envelop your palate before transitioning to some lively notes of white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing an ideal foundation for the long, smooth dry finish.

I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a fine example of the quality GSM blends emanating from Washington, and it's just a pleasant wine to drink.  This wine would pair well with a variety of holiday dishes, including a very popular bird that's likely on many of your menus this coming Thursday!  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a sesame crusted Ahi tuna steak, with steamed rice and sugar snap peas.  Cheers!

2022 DaMa Wines Grenache

Happy Thursday!  Since I was too busy to post last weekend, I decided to do a midweek post.  Tonight, I've decided to open a bottle of a recent wine club selection from DaMa Wines, the 2022 Columbia Valley Grenache.  This wine is a perennial favorite of mine, as it's a 100% Grenache, offering a true perspective on this fascinating and food-friendly varietal.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting.

The wine is lighter bodied, exuding a bright ruby color, just as you'd expect from a nice Grenache.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of leather, violet and kirsch, with undertones of peppery spice.  The first sip is a rush of sweet fruit up front, strawberry, plum and raspberry, that takes an unexpected turn toward some tart cherry midpalate.  The tannins are supple and supportive of the smooth dry finish, with just a hint of spice at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a really interesting take on Grenache, that is likely the best vintage I've had from DaMa. This wine would pair well with a wide range of hearty fall dishes, from braised short ribs to butternut squash bisque, herb-crusted rack of lamb to wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic fall dinner of grilled pork tenderloin and blistered cherry tomatoes, served with mashed sweet potatoes and oven roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2021 DaMa Walla Walla Valley Merlot

Happy Sunday!  It's been a gorgeous day here, sunny and 75 degrees.  I did a bunch of yard work, including digging up a couple buckets of dandelions, trimming some branches from a spruce tree, and transplanting a maple tree, then I went for a bike ride and then relaxed on the porch before dinner.  I am ready for a mild taste of summer with my dinner tonight, but first I'm opening a nice bottle of wine from the recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2021 Walla Walla Valley Merlot from the First Light Vineyard.  I am a big fan of Merlot, so let's see what Mary and the crew have done with this release!

The wine is a lovely ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Merlot.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of sweet cherry, blackberry and vanilla bean, creating a lovely, rich aroma that beckons you to take a sip.  The first tastes is a wonderful rush of ripe fruit, blackberry, cherry and cassis, that transition to some lovely dried herbs midpalate.  The tannins are supple and somewhat subdued, providing for a velvety smooth finish with lingering fruit.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking Merlot that would pair nicely with a broad range of dishes, but would also be a fine wine to sip on the porch with friends on a summer evening.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse, marinated with some Japanese barbecue sauce and topped with some sunflower sprouts, grilled leeks, grilled corn on the cob and some maple bacon Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2023 DaMa Wines Grenache Blanc

Happy Easter!  It's been a wonderful day of celebration of the risen Christ and the culmination of the holiest week in Christendom, and I admit I've been cooking most of the day, starting with breakfast frittatas for the worship team at church, then when I got home I started preparing dinner, which cooked all afternoon (more on that in a moment).  Today is also the last Sunday of the month, which makes it Dinner in the Diner Sunday, and I picked a surprising recipe from the Missouri Pacific Railroad, which used to run behind my uncle's house when I was growing up.  As for the wine, I picked a nice white wine for this meal, one that I received last week in my wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2023 Grenache Blanc.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a crazy pale gold color in the glass, making this a truly white wine!  A swirl of the glass reveals captivating aromas of ripe pear, honeysuckle and a hint of citrus.  The first sip has your mind racing to Asia, with a rush of sweet fruit, pear, white peach and hibiscus dancing around your palate, before easing into some modest minerality midpalate.  The finish is dry, crisp and refreshing, an ideal wine for sipping on the summer patio.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as even though I'm not a big white wine enthusiast, I'll make an exception for this one.  This wine would pair well with a variety of summer salads, Asian dishes, or lighter fish dishes like a roasted branzino.  Tonight, I am pairing this wine with a "Curry of Lamb, Indian Style" recipe from the Missouri Pacific Railroad dining car, though I took some liberty in braising lamb shanks with the curry broth, before adding some additional veggies and the coconut milk and rue to thicken this delicious sauces, served over steamed basmati rice and garnished with fresh pea tendrils.  Cheers!

2019 DaMa Walla Walla Cabernet Franc

Happy Sunday!  I was in full holiday mode today, watching Christmas movies while writing out cards and wrapping presents, and now it's time to wind down with a little dinner and a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of  2019 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Cabernet Franc.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet Franc from the XL Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  I know some of the best Syrah I've tasted came from XL, so hopefully it does as well with Cabernet Franc!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, dark at the center, just as you'd expect. A gentle swirl reveals aromas of Italian herbs, with some spicy pepper and a hint of oregano amid rich notes of ripe black plum.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of black fruit, plum, raspberry and cherry, with an undertone of tawny port, that easily transition to some mineral notes midpalate.  The tannins are well integrated, providing for a velvety mouthfeel as you ease into the long, smooth dry finish with a bit of mocha at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of the better examples of a pure Cabernet Franc that I've tastes.  This wine would pair well with a range of dishes, from steak to lamb, hearty pasta to shepherds pie.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a taste of the Pacific Northwest, as my local market had fresh sockeye salmon on sale, so I've enjoying this wine with a pan seared sockeye filet along with some linguine sautéed in garlic and olive oil and tossed with asparagus and broccoli rabe.  Cheers!

2019 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  I finished my leaves today (and this may actually be the finish as there are scant few leaves left up in the trees!) then since the weather was nice I decided to go for a bike ride. And now I'm back home ready to make my Sunday dinner and enjoy a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of the fall wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2019 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Heather Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine has the classic look of a big Cabernet, with an inky black center and bright garnet along the edges.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, ripe blackberry and cherry, intermingled with some dried herbs and a hint of hibiscus that will have you intrigued.  The first sip is a carnival ride of flavor, with a rush of tart cherry that eases into some ripe blackberry and plum with a bit of vanilla, before heading off into some earthy minerals and a hint of tarragon midpalate.  The tannins are velvety, providing for some wonderful texture as you ease into the wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just everything you could ask for a pleasant sipping Cabernet.  This wine would pair well with steaks, prime rib, barbecue or classic pasta dishes, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime rib cap, oven roasted purple potatoes and some maple bacon Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2021 DaMa GSM

Happy Saturday!  It was a wild day of yard work, as I mowed for the first time this year, but had to pause for a while to let a thunderstorm pass, but I finally finished, then changed the oil and tuned up the lawn mower, so I feel accomplished!  And now, for a nice glass of wine with dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2021 GSM.  This wine is a blend of Grenache (56%), Syrah (29%) and Mourvèdre(15%) from the Yakima Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a lovely bright ruby color in the glass, it really is gem-like in the light, with a bit of fuchsia along the edges.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, tart cherry and bits of earthy sandalwood and peat.  Take a sip and you're awash with rich, sweet fruit, blueberry, marionberry and cherry that dance around until you ease into some hints of cardamom and earthy notes.  The tannins are somewhat subdued but they still manage to hold everything together for a wonderfully smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's an adventurous wine that will have your palate going in multiple directions.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from pastas and risotto, to Sunday roast beef.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a bit of a Pacific Northwest pairing of crispy skin salmon with a lemon dill cream sauce, along with some roasted sweet potatoes with red onion and jalapeno, and some steamed rainbow cauliflower.  Cheers!

2008 DaMa Walla Walla Valley Merlot

Well, it's April Fool's Day, but it's also the first Saturday of the new month, which means it's Cellar Saturday!  The magical day where I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I recently purchased from the library at DaMa, the 2008 DaMa Walla Walla Valley Merlot.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass and a gentle swirl reveals aromas of prune, blackberry and oak with just a hint of mint underneath.  The first sip reveals a rush of tart cherry and black current that eases its way to some notes of tarragon and mint midpalate.  The tannins are a bit sharp, but ease back for a wonderfully smooth finish that's both earthy and dry.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as despite its 15 years it still has a good bit of life left in it.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from wild mushroom risotto, to linguine carbonara, smoked brisket to hearty winter beef stew.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic bone-in ribeye with some steamed asparagus and hollandaise.  Cheers! 

2020 DaMa Wines Chardonnay

Happy Sunday!  It's fall, so that means every weekend that it doesn't rain I'm spending at least one afternoon gathering leaves and putting them out in the street for pickup, and so that's how I spent my afternoon today.  But at least the weather was gorgeous, with lots of sun and highs in the upper 70s, I got one last chance to work in the yard in shorts.  And now that I'm done, I'm ready to sit down for Sunday dinner, which has been roasting as I was working.  And to go with it, I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2020 Chardonnay, which is sourced from the Conner Lee Vineyard in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this unusual white wine for me to review is tasting!

The wine is a pale gold color in the glass, and a gentle swirl reveals aromas of faint lemon citrus, hints of pear and pineapple, suggesting a much more fruit forward Chardonnay than the classic butter bombs.  Take a sip and it's like you've washed ashore on a tropical island, with a rush of pineapple, mango and hibiscus that capture your imagination as you follow the flavor adventure to some vanilla cream notes on the finish, which is crisp and dry.

I am not a but white wine fan, and many Chardonnays I find very one dimensional, but this one is really a pleasant drinking wine that's sure to please a wide crowd of wine drinkers.  For that, I would happily rate this wine a solid 9, perhaps the highest rating I've ever given a white wine.  This wine would pair well with a wide range of dishes, from halibut to classic fish tacos, moules frites or Thai curry, but tonight I am enjoying this with a classic Sunday dinner of roasted chicken with mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy, along with some asparagus with Hollandaise.  Cheers!

2021 DaMa Wines Rose of Cabernet Franc

Happy Friday of a three-day weekend!  I have to admit, I've sort of eased into this weekend as I'm taking some vacation days next week, but still I'm looking forward to some wonderful meals and wines over the next few days!  To start things off, since the weather has been seasonably warm and humid, I've decided to open a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2021 Rose of Cabernet Franc from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  Well, since rose season has started, whether officially or not, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a pale peach color in the glass, a somewhat lighter rose.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of peach, honeysuckle and just a hint of citrus that suggest tasteful refreshment for a warm summer day.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a basket of summer fruit, strawberry, peach, raspberry and citrus that are just right for the season.  The finish is crisp, dry and refreshing, just the right note to keep you coming back for more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a wonderfully refreshing rose for summer, and it's a terrific value at just $20.  This wine would pair well with summer salads, caprese salad, grilled vegetables or a wonderful cedar planked salmon.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some lobster bucatini, as the fruit and acidity in this wine are the ideal foil for the richness of the lobster cream sauce.  Cheers!

2021 DaMa Grenache Blanc

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a while since I've posted on a Wednesday given how busy my work life has been, but tonight that changes with a recent wine club selection and a wonderful spring dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle from a recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2021 DaMa Grenache Blanc from the Painted Hills Vineyard in the Columbia Valley of Washington.  It's rare that I review a white wine, so let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a wonderfully pale golden hue in the glass.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of citrus, honeydew and pear with just a hint of oak underneath.  Take a sip and you're greeted with a rush of white grapefruit, melon and white peach, that transitions to some earthy notes of green grass and oak midpalate.  The finish is crisp and delightful, with a balanced acidity and classic dryness that make this wine an ideal summer sipper for the patio.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, and although white wines are not my forte, this wine was truly a pleasure to drink.  This wine would pair well with summer salads, pasta or halibut, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a special dinner.  I picked up some fresh morel mushrooms at my local market as they are now in season and decided to make some morel and asparagus risotto for dinner this evening.  The acidity of this wine is a perfect balance for the earthy richness of this risotto.  Cheers!

2012 DaMa Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy New Year!  Not only is this the first day of 2022, but it's also the first Saturday of the new month, making this a Cellar Saturday, that magical time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  And tonight we open up a new vintage to eligibility, so I've opened a bottle of 2012 DaMa Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  I'll admit, this wine hasn't been in my cellar long, as it was part of some verticals of Cabernet and Merlot included in our fall wine club shipment.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, still vibrant despite its maturity.  A gentle swirl of the glass releases aromas of black cherry, currant and plum, with hints of oak and vanilla undertones, creating an almost tawny sort of vibe.  A sip reveals rich black fruit bursting forth, blackberry, currant and plum that transition easily to some notes of caramel and umami midpalate.  The tannins are supple and create a fine base for the smooth dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderfully mature Columbia Valley Cabernet that is really hitting its stride as a mature wine.  This wine would pair well with hard cheeses, earthy dishes like braised short ribs or wild mushroom risotto, or even a nice steak.  I'm enjoying one such steak tonight with this wine, a rare Angus New York strip, mashed potatoes and some asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers! 

2018 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  Yesterday was a full day of leave blowing and vacuuming, so I barely had time for anything but rest (in fact I fell asleep around 9 pm!).  But tonight I am in much better spirits, ready to cook a nice Sunday dinner and enjoy a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2018 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon, that was a recent wine club shipment.  This wine is a full Cabernet sourced from the Heather Hill Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington, so let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby in the glass, with a classic darkness at the center.  A gentle swirl in the glass reveals aromas of cherry cola, cedar and warm peppery spice that captures your imagination.  Take a sip and a flood of ripe black fruit envelopes your palate, black cherry, plum and marionberry that transition effortlessly to some notes of dried herbs and Asian spice midpalate.  The tannins are well structured and integrated providing a great foundation for the long, smooth and beautifully dry finish that lingers on your palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking Cabernet that can stand up to some hearty fall dishes.  This wine would pair well with steaks, prime rib, wild mushroom risotto, or classic barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a thick Angus ribeye grilled Pittsburgh rare, on a bed of grilled leeks with some asparagus with hollandaise and a big baked potato with all the trimmings.  Cheers!

2018 DaMa Walla Walla Valley Merlot

Well, it was a relaxing Sunday, as I finished most of the yard work yesterday, so I had the chance to lounge around and go for a bike ride this afternoon before it got dark at what seemed like 4 pm, tell me why we still do daylight savings time?  In any case, I've been cooking my Sunday dinner as a taste of fall, so what better wine to open than a fall release from DaMa Wines?  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2018 DaMa Walla Walla Valley Merlot, a 100% Merlot from the Seven Hills Vineyard.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect from a nice Merlot.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of tart cherry, cranberry and dried herbs with just a hint of violet.  Take a sip and your palate is enveloped in sweet candied fruit notes, cherry, currant and raspberry that transition effortlessly to some earthy notes of dusty limestone and spice box midpalate.  The tannins are well structured providing for a lengthy and enjoyable dry finish that will have you reaching to take another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a classic example of the varietal with a definite old world flair.  This wine would pair well with a range of red meat, from steaks and chops, to venison or a classic prime rib.  Tonight I am taking a definite fall approach with this wine and enjoying with with a blackened spice grilled veal loin chop along with some oven roasted root vegetables that I picked up at the farmer's market.  Cheers!

Walla Walla Wine Tasting Vacation - Day 2

Well, it's a tough job, but somebody has to do it!  Vacationing that is...today I started out by going to the Fort Walla Walla Museum, seeing some wonderful exhibits on the history of Walla Walla and the settlements here from pioneer days just after Lewis and Clark made their expedition.  And then it was down to the serious business of wine tasting.  I started the afternoon at Seven Hills Winery, one of my long-time favorites going back to my very first trip to Walla Walla in 2001.  

I had a wonderful time tasting some wines that I already had in my cellar, like the 2016 Seven Hills Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon which is drinking even more beautifully now than in 2019.  I was hosted wonderfully by Emma, and then Julie came out to have a nice conversation with me, and we had a chance to do a side-by-side tasting of the 2018 Pentad with the 2019 Pentad from the barrel.  The new vintage is very interesting and will make an intriguing wine by the time it's released.

We then chatted about some of the changes coming to the winery with a new restaurant that will soon open, replacing Whitehouse Crawford, which closed during Covid.  This will provide some nice opportunities to combine more food and wine pairings in the future.

When I finished at Seven Hills, it was off to see Mary Darby at DaMa Wines.  Mary is always a pleasure to talk with, and good conversation makes hours seems like minutes, and of course sipping on wine during that time may have helped the time go fast!

Of course, sipping on wine and enjoying good conversation makes distractions an acute hazard, which is why I ended up leaving with a half dozen tamales from the tamale lady that stopped by.  What in the world am I going to do with tamales with another week and 4,000 miles to go?  Well, I don't have an answer to that, but I can confirm those were some of the most delicious tamales I've had!

Cheers!

2019 DaMa Wines Columbia Valley GSM

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I just finished mowing since I couldn't do it on Sunday since it was raining, and now I'm ready for a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2019 Columbia Valley GSM, because who doesn't like a nice GSM?  This wine is a blend of Grenache (46%), Syrah (39%) and Mourvèdre (15%) from the Columbia Valley of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a beautiful garnet color in the glass, with a somewhat lighter weight and great clarity.  Swirl the glass and take a whiff and you're greeted by classic aromas of strawberry, red currant and hibiscus with undertones of earthy minerals.  Take a sip and the rush of red fruit washed over your palate, with flavors of raspberry, strawberry and sweet cherry that transition nicely to some earthy mineral notes midpalate.  The tannins are soft, but just the right base for a long dry finish, with some bright acidity right at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as this is a really fruit forward, easy drinking blend, just what makes a GSM so great.  Casual sipping or enjoying with dinner, this food friendly wine would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from wild mushroom risotto, to steaks, to barbecued ribs.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Bison New York Strip along with oven roasted baby potatoes and asparagus with hollandaise.  Cheers!

2016 DaMa Collage

Happy Sunday!  I've been working much of the day and now it's time for me to put down the laptop and open a nice bottle of wine!   Tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from DaMa Wines, the 2016 Collage, a blend of Merlot (71%), Cabernet Sauvignon (21%) and Cabernet Franc (5%), and yes, there is a typo since theyonle add up to 97%, but all I had to go on was what was printed on the label!  In any case, let's see what this Walla Walla blend has to offer.

The wine is a beautiful deep ruby color in the glass with nice clarity, a testament to the heavy Merlot influence in the blend.  A modest swirl in the glass releases aromas of leather, oak, blackberry and a hint of lilac.  Take a sip and you are greeted with a rush of ripe black cherry that washes over your palate before transitioning to some earthy notes of dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured to provide a solid base for a long, smooth dry finish with a nice bit of acidity at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a really pleasant sipping wine, which I will likely do on the porch once I publish this!  This wine would pair well with pasta, pizza or barbecue, for a casual affair, or you can pick it up a notch and enjoy this with a classic rack of lamb.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled porterhouse with a baked potato and some steamed sugar snap peas.  Cheers!